England are edging ever closer to a comprehensive series whitewash of Pakistan after they skittled the visitors to 52 for 2, still trailing by 268 runs, when rain forced an early end to play on the second day of the third Test at Edgbaston. The Pakistani innings at stumps, though still a heavy deficit, actually marked a modest recovery after the situation looked even bleaker when the hosts reduced them to 0 for 2 in Ollie Robinson's opening over. Robinson, who finished the spell with figures of two wickets for ten runs, began by dismissing opener Saim Ayub on the very first ball.
Ayub, one of four players flown straight into the side after seven members were sent home from the touring party, was out for a pair. Three deliveries later, Abdullah Shafique fell to a catch at slip, further denting Pakistan's hopes. Robinson’s haul now stands at 28 wickets in just four Test matches this summer, an astonishing strike rate of 7.75 runs per wicket.
Within the context of this series his average improves even more dramatically to 6.66, underscoring his dominance with the ball. Meanwhile, England captain Joe Root’s sharp reflexes at slip produced a crucial catch to dismiss Shafique, moving him ahead of Australia’s Steve Smith and taking his personal tally to 220 catches – a figure that places him among the leading outfielders in Test history. The wicket‑taking frenzy that characterised Pakistan’s first innings did not continue in the same vein in the second.
Batsmen Azan Awais, who remained not out on 29, and Shan Masood, unbeaten on 21, managed a modest partnership of fifty runs before rain intervened. Masood, however, was later dismissed for 13 by Ben Duckett, who claimed his third wicket of the match, capitalising on a mis‑field by Gus Atkinson. A quick recap of the scores: Pakistan were bowled out for 133 in 33.5 overs in their first innings, with notable contributions from Saud Shakeel (43) and Mohammad Abbas (21).
England’s bowlers shared the wickets – Josh Tongue (4‑42), Ollie Robinson (3‑15) and Jofra Archer (3‑25). England then posted a massive 453 in 89 overs, thanks to a quartet of half‑centuries: Harry Brook (75), Jamie Smith (69), Dan Lawrence (65) and Emilio Gay (60), with Robinson adding a valuable 50 of his own. Pakistan’s Razaullah claimed four wickets for 148 runs.
In the second innings, Pakistan slumped to 52‑2 after 12.4 overs, still 268 runs behind, with Awais and Masood again unbeaten on 29 and 21 respectively, while Robinson continued his ruthless spell with another two‑for‑10. Earlier on day one, England had been dismissed for 452, securing a 320‑run first‑innings lead. The top order – Lawrence (65), Smith (69) and Robinson (50) – built on Gay’s 60 and Brook’s 75 to set a daunting total. Brook added a quick 23 runs overnight before becoming the first wicket on the second morning.
His dismissal came after a risky single attempt to mid‑wicket, which Masood turned into a direct‑hit run‑out. Despite the loss, England’s scoring rate remained brisk. Smith partnered with Lawrence for a 64‑run stand before Lawrence was bowled off a ball that rebounded onto his stumps just before lunch.
Smith then reached his half‑century off 54 balls, though he could not convert it into a bigger score. After a brief cameo by Gus Atkinson, who was bowled by a delivery from Mohammad Imran, Smith edged a catch to the fiery Razaullah (4‑148).
Later, Smith was forced to leave the field as wicket‑keeper Jordan Cox substituted for him due to a finger injury sustained on day one. Robinson, now on his second Test fifty, and lower‑order batsman Jofra Archer (32 not out) provided the fireworks, regularly finding the boundary and pushing England’s total well beyond the 400‑run mark, cementing a lead of more than 300 runs before the innings finally wrapped up.
Pakistan’s tentative fielding carried over into the early part of their second innings, and a two‑day finish seemed plausible after Robinson’s double strike in the very first over. However, Awais and Masood displayed some much‑needed resilience, and the looming rain finally halted play.
Dan Lawrence expressed disappointment at missing out on a maiden Test century. The 29‑year‑old, who had already recorded fifties at Headingley (51) and Lord’s (54) in this series, said, "I'm obviously gutted that I didn't convert and make a really big score, but I'm pretty happy with how I performed overall. I felt I was playing nicely on a good surface against a tiring attack. I thought I would get a big score, but it wasn’t meant to be.
I've missed two chances to make big contributions – at Headingley and here – but I’m satisfied with three fifties in four innings. If someone had offered me 65 at the start of the day, I would have taken it." Meanwhile, seamer Ollie Robinson has been the star of the series, boasting 21 wickets at an astonishing average of 6.66.
When he dismissed Shafique for the fifth time in six innings, his average against the Pakistani batsman stood at a remarkable 6.19. England slip fielder Dan Lawrence admitted the slip cordon must stay on high alert whenever Robinson is on a roll, noting, "When he bowls, he hits the same spot almost every ball, you feel the game shift. The wickets have offered a lot to us and the seamers, and you certainly sense the momentum when a bowler is at the peak of his powers." Sky Sports Cricket analyst Nasser Hussain criticised Pakistan’s selection policy, especially the inclusion of Saim Ayub, who had not played first‑class cricket for eleven months after returning from the Caribbean Premier League.
Hussain argued, "He shouldn't be here. Flying a player over from foreign conditions and expecting him to handle a Duke ball and Robinson’s pace shows a lack of respect for Test cricket.
The team has axed seven players, sent home those who performed well, and this creates a chaotic environment. Players need to feel valued; when you send teammates home between Tests, morale collapses. This side looks resigned, taking a 'what will be, will be' attitude, and only looking after themselves." The third Test continues on day three, with live coverage available on Sky Sports Cricket from 10:15 am on Friday.
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